Chapter 97: Dugu Bo Questions His Life, Born of Wind Yet Silenced by Wind
"Of course, it's still good news."
As Dai Chengfeng spoke, he retrieved a spirit herb from his ring.
Its appearance was extremely unique—a small white flower that shimmered like crystal, resembling an immaculate lotus. It exuded a faint aura of divinity.
"Uncle, this is the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, a very miraculous herb."
"After you've taken the Great Restoration Pill, eat the petals and stamens of this flower, then use your soul power to absorb it. You'll feel its incredible effects."
"It will be of great benefit for your future journey to becoming a Title Douluo. To put it boldly…"
"As long as nothing unexpected happens, it's almost certain that you'll reach the realm of a Title Douluo!"
Zhu Fan's eyes lit up. "Really?!"
"Of course! Would I deceive you, Uncle?"
Zhu Fan quickly shook his head, his eyes brimming with overwhelming joy. "Chengfeng, you truly have your uncle in mind!"
"But…"
At this point, though Zhu Fan looked at the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone with deep reluctance, he didn't hesitate for a moment. "Do you not need it?"
"If you need it, take it first."
Dai Chengfeng's eyes softened as he smiled and shook his head. "Uncle, rest assured—I have other herbs."
Zhu Fan immediately brightened again, patting Dai Chengfeng's shoulder firmly with satisfaction. "Then I'll accept it. As for thanks… no need to say it—we're family!"
"I'll go back and start absorbing it now!"
"Mm."
Dai Chengfeng nodded. Soon after, Zhu Fan returned to his tent.
"I wonder what level their soul power will reach tomorrow morning?"
Dai Chengfeng estimated that Zhu Fan and Ye Renxin wouldn't gain too many levels. Even with Zhu Fan's additional spirit herb, a three-level increase would likely be the limit, while Ye Renxin might only gain one level.
After all, their soul power was already quite strong—it wasn't easy to advance even one level.
Dugu Yan probably wouldn't improve much either, as her primary purpose for taking the Great Restoration Pill was detoxification. On the other hand, Ye Lingling might experience the largest increase in soul power.
"But she likely won't reach level 30."
While pondering this, Dai Chengfeng had already returned to his tent, washed up briefly, and gone to sleep.
---
The next day
The morning sun pierced through the dense foliage, casting dappled light and shadow across the forest floor, draping the earth in a dazzling golden veil.
A thin mist hung in the air, the leaves were lush and vibrant, dewdrops rolled on the blades, and the rich scent of vegetation filled the atmosphere, accompanied by the rising and falling chorus of birdsong.
Today, everyone woke up unusually early.
What was more interesting…
Whether it was the usually stern and somewhat cold Dugu Bo, the gentle Ye Renxin, or Zhu Fan, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling—everyone wore a smile on their faces.
Everything unfolded just as Dai Chengfeng had predicted the night before.
Zhu Fan's soul power increased by three levels, bringing him to level 86. Ye Renxin reached level 82.
Dugu Yan remained at level 32, but her body was completely rid of the venom of the Azure Scaled Snake, and her aptitude had significantly improved. Ye Lingling, on the other hand, experienced a staggering leap of four levels overnight, reaching level 29.
After a long while, once everyone's emotions had settled, they resumed their journey.
---
In the Sunset Forest, the group continued forward.
Dugu Bo led the way at the front, while Ye Renxin and Zhu Fan brought up the rear.
Dai Chengfeng, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan walked in the middle, chatting idly until the topic turned to age…
"Huh?"
"Dai Chengfeng, you're really…"
When Dugu Yan learned Dai Chengfeng's age, her face instantly filled with dejection, envy, and existential doubt.
"Damn it!"
"You're five years younger than me, yet your soul power has already reached level 30… What kind of monster are you?!"
She then turned to Ye Lingling. "And you!"
"You're almost two to three years younger than me, and your soul power was seven levels lower than mine before, but now you're only three levels behind!"
Seeing Dugu Yan's dejected expression, Dai Chengfeng simply chuckled. Ye Lingling, on the other hand, clung to Dugu Yan's arm, gently teasing, "Yan'er, it's all thanks to Chengfeng. Without the Great Restoration Pill, my soul power wouldn't have surged like this…"
"And besides, don't you still have three levels on me?"
Dugu Bo, Ye Renxin, and Zhu Fan continued walking silently, saying nothing.
Zhu Fan and Ye Renxin had long known about Dai Chengfeng's extraordinary talent—they were used to it.
But as for Dugu Bo, his silence stemmed from the same existential crisis as Dugu Yan's.
He couldn't help but curse inwardly, 'Damn it! When I was Chengfeng's age, my soul power had barely reached level 20, and even that was considered exceptional among my peers—something others could only dream of!'
'And yet, he's already at level 30? What kind of monster is this?!'
For the rest of the journey, Dugu Yan seemed deeply affected, sulking quietly. Ye Lingling consoled her in hushed tones.
Until…
The sky gradually darkened, and the remnants of the setting sun bathed the land.
Dugu Bo, who had been leading the way, suddenly stopped. "We're here!"
Pointing ahead, he slowly addressed Dai Chengfeng. "Chengfeng, that's where the Nine Nether Azure Luan clan resides."
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng followed the direction of Dugu Bo's finger.
There, he saw a towering cliff entirely black as ink, its walls steep and sharp as if carved by a giant axe. Every texture radiated coldness and majesty.
Atop the cliff, a faint layer of black mist swirled.
Occasionally, several massive birds with bluish-black feathers appeared and disappeared within the mist, their sharp cries slicing through the silent sky.
For a moment, a flicker of anticipation flashed in Dai Chengfeng's eyes. 'Finally, we're here!'
"What special abilities does this Nine Nether Azure Luan, which even Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo, speaks so highly of, possess?!"
Seemingly sensing Dai Chengfeng's curiosity, Dugu Bo released a roughly hundred-year-old Golden Earth Dragon from his 'All-Purpose Treasure Bag', which could hold living creatures, and drove it forward.
"Chengfeng, this is one of the Nine Nether Azure Luan's favorite foods."
"Just watch closely!"
Dugu Bo's eyes were full of confidence, not the slightest bit worried that Dai Chengfeng would be disappointed.
"Alright, I'll wait and see!"
Dai Chengfeng watched the Golden Earth Dragon and nodded.
About half an incense stick's time later…
Whoosh!
From the sky, the sound of flapping wings rang out, stirring up a fierce wind.
Following the sound of the wind—
Under the glow of the setting sun, a massive bird with wings spanning several meters, its feathers shimmering with a bluish-black light, suddenly swooped down toward the Golden Earth Dragon.
As it flapped its wings, a sphere of bluish-black light appeared.
"This is… that special wind?"
Dai Chengfeng narrowed his eyes, eager to witness the power of this 'wind.'
But the next second…
Dai Chengfeng's pupils contracted. "What?!"
He had expected the Nine Nether Azure Luan's attack to unleash a violent storm or create a terrifying energy blast.
But it was neither!
He only saw that as the bluish-black sphere descended, the Golden Earth Dragon suddenly writhed in agony, pounding the ground with all its might.
But until its death, everything happened in complete silence.
"Even though the Golden Earth Dragon opened its mouth to roar and pounded the ground furiously, no sound came out… Born of wind, yet silencing the wind?"
"The Nine Nether Azure Luan is truly extraordinary!"
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